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87. Echoes of Us
Last Updated:
2025-03-22 23:22:24
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Traded For His First Love 88. Candlelight and Cold Sparks
Reese POV The restaurant Spencer took me to was one of those places that felt straight out of a movie—the kind where luxury screamed in every detail, but not over-the-top. Le Jardin sat atop a downtown Chicago building, with huge windows showing off the city lights twinkling like fallen stars. The hostess led us to a corner table by the window, with a view that seemed to cradle the world outside. Candles flickered in crystal holders, and the scent of fresh herbs and expensive wine floated in the air. Spencer pulled out my chair with that crooked smile he did so well, and I sat down, trying to ignore the weight still pressing on my chest from the park. “You look beautiful tonight, Venus,” he said, his dark eyes gleaming under the soft light as he took his seat across from me. “That blue dress… it’s like it was made for you.” I smiled, smoothing the fabric of the dress I’d picked almost on autopilot before leaving. “Thanks, Spence. You’re looking pretty sharp yourself,” I said, n
Last Updated : 2025-03-23Traded For His First Love 89. Petals and Promises
Reese POV After dinner at Le Jardin, Spencer suggested a walk around the city, and I couldn’t say no—not with that crooked smile of his looking at me like I was the center of the universe. The night was gorgeous, the clear sky dotted with stars, the cool air carrying the scent of wet asphalt from the rain earlier. We strolled through Chicago’s lit-up streets, the building lights reflecting in puddles, and he took my hand, lacing his fingers with mine in a way that caught me off guard with its ease. “Ever stop to think how alive this city feels at night?” he asked, his voice soft as he gazed at the glowing shop windows and passing cars. “It’s like it never sleeps.” I smiled, following his gaze. “Yeah, sometimes I forget that. I spend so much time rushing around, I don’t really look.” He laughed, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. “Then let me show you. Let’s enjoy it a little.” We walked without hurry, chatting about everything and nothing. He told me a funny story about a clie
Last Updated : 2025-03-24Traded For His First Love 90. Tangled Bonds and Unspoken Truths
Reese POV I couldn’t settle with how Elliot had stormed out of there, running off like he’d been wronged somehow by me bringing Spencer home—and worse, holding his hand right in front of him. It gnawed at me, this urge to do something, to make him listen. I felt this need to explain myself, even though I didn’t fully understand why. “Can you wait here for me?” I asked Spencer, nodding toward the kids. Sammy’s little brow was furrowed, unsure what to do now that his dad had bolted out like that, so I took off after Elliot. I ran through the hallways until I caught up with him at the elevator, shoving my hand in just as the doors were about to close. I slipped inside, and his jaw was clenched tight. His eyes darted everywhere in that tiny metal box—anywhere but me. “What are you doing?” he asked, his words coming out stiff and sharp. “I…” I stammered, and suddenly all the things I wanted to say vanished from my head. My throat went dry. I knew he still had feelings for me, but w
Last Updated : 2025-03-25Traded For His First Love 91. Drowning in the Dark
Reese POV I could barely feel my own body as I trudged heavily down the condo hallway, heading back to my apartment. The conversation I’d just had with Elliot had really gotten to me—I felt drained, almost breathless, the pressure nearly bringing me to my knees right there in the corridor. I even had to brace myself against the nearest wall. “Please pull yourself together, Venus…” I begged myself, repeating it like a mantra to make my heart remember my cause, to remind my heart of my struggle. I’d chosen to stay away from Elliot because I believed it was the right thing for me, but it was overwhelmingly heavy, and I just didn’t feel strong enough to bear it. It hurt like hell—uncontrollable tears streamed down my face—so I crouched down, trying to gather my strength. “Venus…?” It was Spencer. “My God, are you okay?” He came over, kneeling in front of me and pulling me into a hug, visibly worried. “Did that guy do something to you? Did he hurt you or anything?” I could hear the
Last Updated : 2025-03-26Traded For His First Love 92. Glitter and Ghosts
Reese POV I was knee-deep in a sea of golden tulle and boxes of scented candles, holed up in the office we’d turned into a command center for Nathalie’s party. The event was two days away, and the chaos of preparation was almost a gift—it kept me busy enough to stop my mind from drifting to Elliot every five minutes. It’d been days since that elevator, since he walked out with those dark eyes and hands in his pockets, leaving me behind. After that, he vanished. No calls, no showing up. Just sent the driver to pick up Sammy, like he’d made peace with the kid spending more time with me. But that was it—a silence that screamed louder than anything he could’ve said. “Venus, you in there?” Alice nudged me, waving a silver ribbon in front of my face like a magic wand. She was standing, holding a roll of fabric, giving me that look that said she knew I was spacing out. “If these flowers aren’t ready by the end of the day, Nathalie’s gonna strangle us.” I blinked, snapping back to real
Last Updated : 2025-03-27Traded For His First Love 93. Tangled Hearts and Sparkling Lies
Reese POV The party at Nathalie’s was a knockout—the hall shimmered with golden lights hanging like stars, the five-tier cake gleamed like a sculpture in the center, and the clink of glasses and laughter bounced off the marble walls. I was standing near the dance floor, the blue dress Spencer had complimented hugging my body, trying to feel in control, when Nathalie swooped in out of nowhere, her eyes sparkling like the chandeliers above us. She grabbed me in a tight hug, her expensive perfume nearly choking me as she pulled Alice in too. “Venus! Alice! My brilliant girls!” she exclaimed, her voice loud enough to turn a few heads. “Look at this party! It’s all perfect—I’m in love! You two are a dream, you know that?” I laughed, a little awkward under her enthusiasm, and hugged her back. “Glad you liked it, Nathalie. We gave it everything to make it your way.” “Your way?” she shot back, letting us go to step back and fling her arms wide, like she wanted to embrace the whole ro
Last Updated : 2025-03-28Traded For His First Love 94. Heat of the Dance
Reese POV The party at Nathalie’s was in full swing—the hall thrummed with laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the buzz of conversations rising like smoke. I was caught up in the middle of my friends, trying to lose myself in their stories, the chilled champagne sliding down my throat as I laughed here and there. Andrew Singleton, Nathalie’s husband, was holding court in the circle, telling a dumb joke about a guy who mistook his dog for his boss. “And then the guy gave his boss a biscuit and got slapped!” he finished, and everyone cracked up, even me, though I’d heard better. Spencer was beside me, all fired up, talking about the city’s stock market like it was the most thrilling thing ever. “You should’ve seen it, Josh, the tech stocks were through the roof this week,” he said, waving his whiskey glass around. Josh nodded, scratching his chin like he was some expert. “Yeah, man, I threw a bunch into that. It’s paying off big time.” Bethany huffed, crossing her arms as she
Last Updated : 2025-03-29Traded For His First Love 95. Unspoken Weights
Reese POV The party at Nathalie’s was still buzzing, the romantic music wrapping around the couples on the dance floor as I spun in Spencer’s arms. Elliot’s heat was still clinging to my skin, like a tattoo I couldn’t erase, but I tried to focus on the moment—Spencer’s steady arm around my waist, the way he led me with precise steps, the scent of whiskey and cologne surrounding me. He was smiling at me, but there was something in his eyes, a shadow I couldn’t ignore. “Venus,” he said suddenly, his voice low so it wouldn’t draw attention from the other couples twirling around us. “I… I got jealous. You with Elliot just now. I didn’t like it.” I blinked, caught off guard, my heart giving a jolt I hadn’t expected. “Spencer, you don’t need to be jealous,” I replied, keeping my tone light as we kept dancing, the blue dress brushing against his legs. “I know you’re my boyfriend. It’s fine.” He pressed his lips together, his gaze dropping to the floor for a second before meeting min
Last Updated : 2025-03-29
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Traded For His First Love 110. Morning Light
Reese POV I woke up to my kids’ laughter echoing through the apartment, a sound so alive it almost felt like a gift after the night I’d had. Sammy and Avie were in the kitchen — Sammy’s loud, energetic laugh mixing with Avie’s joyful little squeals — and the smell of fresh coffee and warm pancakes drifted through the air, pulling me out of bed like a thread of hope. My head still throbbed, a leftover from the party that turned into a nightmare, from the ugly fight with Spencer that ended with him dumping me at the door like I was nothing. But those laughs… they were a piece of something I’d lost, something coming back, even if it carried secrets I wasn’t ready to face.I got up slowly, my body heavy with exhaustion and a truth I hadn’t found the courage to tell. I grabbed the blue robe tossed over the chair, tied it around my waist while rubbing my eyes, and followed the sound down the hall. Last night had been a mess — Spencer spitting venom over things I didn’t even fully grasp,
Traded For His First Love 109. Heat of the Night
Alice POVI was on the balcony of Nathalie’s party, the cool night air brushing against my heated skin as Connor pinned me against the railing, his hands firm on my waist and his lips locked on mine in a kiss that was pure fire. The lively music from the ballroom spilled through the glass doors, muffled by the sound of crickets and the light breeze, but I could barely hear anything beyond the rough sound of him against my mouth. Our earlier conversation there— me throwing his flirting with the green-dress brunette in his face, him promising to surprise me — had turned into this: heated making out, his hands sliding up my back under my purple dress, and me losing myself in his warmth despite swearing I wouldn’t fall so easily.“You’re driving me crazy,” he murmured against my neck, his teeth grazing my skin as I arched into him, my heart pounding. His blue eyes glinted in the dim light, and his citrusy scent wrapped around me, pulling me deeper.“You started it,” I shot back, my voic
Traded For His First Love 108. Shelter in the Storm
Venus POV I’d barely shut the apartment door when the buzzer rang, a sharp sound cutting through the heavy silence I was trying to cling to. My body was still trembling, the dress damp from Nathalie’s champagne sticking to my skin, my face faintly stinging where Bethany had slapped me, and Spencer’s words still echoing in my head like knives. I hesitated, my feet frozen on the cold floor, thinking it might be him coming back—maybe regretful, maybe to yell some more. My heart lurched with reluctance, but I dragged myself to the door anyway, opening it with a tired sigh. But when I saw who was there, my shoulders slumped, the weight of the day nearly knocking me over with relief. It was Elliot. He stood in my doorway, his hair mussed by the wind, his green eyes full of a concern I hadn’t expected but that hit me like a bolt. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed him until that moment—not just his presence, but the way he saw me, as Reese, not the Venus everyone seemed to hate now.
Traded For His First Love 108. Fractured Trust
Venus POV The low rumble of Spencer’s car engine was the only sound filling the silence between us as he drove through Chicago’s dark streets, the streetlights streaking past the window like blurs. I was slumped in the passenger seat, my blue dress still damp from Nathalie’s champagne clinging to my skin, my face faintly stinging where Bethany had slapped me in the parking lot. My head was a mess—the party had started so well, with laughter, light conversation, a moment with Elliot on the balcony that nearly made me forget everything. But then it all crashed into a nightmare I couldn’t wrap my mind around. The humiliation in front of everyone, the accusations from Nathalie, Jennifer, and Bethany, and now this—Spencer driving me home with a look that said he was holding a volcano inside him. I ran a hand over my face, trying to wipe away the last of the dried champagne prickling my skin, and felt the weight of his gaze even without turning to him. The silence was suffocating, and
Traded For His First Love 106. Breaking the Chains
Josh POV I was standing near the door of Nathalie’s party, the cold night air hitting my face as the sound of Spencer’s car tires faded into the distance. What had just gone down in the parking lot—Bethany chasing after Venus and slapping her across the face—was still spinning in my head like a movie I didn’t want to watch. I’d seen it all from the entrance, the way Bethany screamed, the pure hatred in her eyes, her hand smacking Venus like she was a punching bag. And I knew, deep down, that this was one of the reasons I didn’t want to marry her. It wasn’t just that I didn’t love her—though that was true—but because Bethany had a rotten soul, a darkness that twisted my stomach every time I saw her lose it like that. I wasn’t some saint, and I didn’t pretend to be. The engagement to Bethany was my dad’s doing, a move to tie our families together, his business with hers, and I’d even thought it might work out. Maybe, with time, I could fall for her—she was pretty, had a fire that s
Traded For His First Love 105. The Sting of Victory
Bethany POV Watching Venus get humiliated in front of everyone had been like a balm—every shout from Nathalie, every drop of champagne running down that perfect face, every shocked stare in the room felt like I was cashing in on a piece of the pain I’d been carrying in my chest for so long. I was leaning against a table near the bar, arms crossed, my heart still racing with pure satisfaction as the echo of Nathalie’s shattering glass replayed in my head. Venus was everything I wasn’t—beautiful, desired, with that effortless charm that made everyone like her, even Josh, my fiancé. But now, drenched and kicked out, she was imperfect for the first time, and for the first time, I felt special. Jennifer was beside me, laughing softly as she swirled her sparkling wine, the bubbles rising like they were toasting our victory. “Did you see her face, Bethany?” she said, her tone light but dripping with that venom I loved. “She looked like a wet dog trying to explain herself. Pathetic.”
Traded For His First Love 104. Soaked in Shame
Venus POV The party at Nathalie’s was starting to wind down—the golden lights still glowed, but the music had softened, and the little clusters of people were breaking apart, some grabbing coats, others exchanging goodbye hugs. I was near the door, Spencer at my side with that look like he couldn’t wait to leave, and I was trying to say my farewells to a few acquaintances so we could get out of there. My heart was still racing from the almost-kiss with Elliot on the balcony, and all I wanted was to get home, take a hot shower, and pretend this night hadn’t turned me inside out. “Nice seeing you, Clara,” I said, smiling at a friend of Nathalie’s I knew from other events. She was in a shiny green dress, holding a nearly empty glass, and gave me a friendly nod. “You too, Venus. Take care, okay?” she replied, her tone light as she turned to grab her purse. I nodded, adjusting the strap of my blue dress—which was still clinging to my back from the party’s heat—and glanced at Spenc
Traded For His First Love 103. Venom in the Air
Jennifer POV The party at Nathalie’s was still buzzing—the hall aglow with those golden lights that screamed luxury, the loud music making the floor tremble, and the air thick with the scent of champagne and expensive perfume. I was leaning against a column near the drink table, a gin in hand, the ice clinking as I watched the crowd. But my focus was all on Bethany, a few steps away, her eyes narrowed and fists clenched, spitting venom like she owned the place. She was ranting about Reese—or Venus, as everyone but Elliot called her—and I could almost see the hatred rolling off her in waves. “You saw that, Jennifer? It’s so obvious that bitch wants my fiancé,” she snarled, her voice dripping with rage as she jerked her chin toward Reese across the room. There she was, the elegant woman in that perfect blue dress, smiling and chatting with her friends, her loose hair falling over her shoulders like she didn’t have a care in the world. “The way she looked at Josh? What a slut! I b
Traded For His First Love 102. Echoes Over the Lake
Venus POV The balcony at Nathalie’s house was a breath of calm amidst the storm of the party—the cool breeze blew in from Lake Michigan on the horizon, where the dark water swallowed the city lights like an upside-down sky. I was leaning against the railing, the cold metal pressing into my arms, the wind playing with my hair, and Elliot was beside me, close enough that I could feel his warmth without even touching. The noise of the party inside—the loud music, the laughter, the clinking glasses—felt like a distant echo, and I let my eyes drift to the serene line of the lake, the peace of that place wrapping around me like a blanket I didn’t know I craved. Alice and Connor were still in their little corner, murmuring and giggling, but my mind was all on Elliot, as it always was. I took a deep breath, the chilly air filling my chest, and the words slipped out before I could hold them back. “You know, Elliot… sometimes, in my craziest moments, I wonder what it’d be like if we’d wor
